Dempsey, Fulham go for Europa gold

Although most Americans playing in the English Premier League have wrapped up their seasons with their club teams, Fulham FC's Clint Dempsey has one large game still on his plate.

The American midfielder (or likely, forward) will play in one of the biggest games in the club's 131-year history when the Cottagers take on Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final today at HSH Nordbank Arena in Hamburg, Germany (Direct TV, 2:45 p.m. EST). Dempsey's services may be needed more than usual today, with leading scorer Bobby Zamora hampered with an Achilles injury. He missed training on Tuesday, but manager Roy Hodgson said he still may play.

Dempsey is a big reason why Fulham has made it this far in the competition, which was previously named the UEFA Cup. Dempsey's stunning goal in the 82nd minute of Fulham's Round of 16 second-leg game against Juventus gave the Cottagers a 5-4 aggregate win. He started one of the two quarterfinal games against VfL Wolfsburg and came on as a sub in both legs of their semifinal win over Hamburg-SV.

Photo credit: AP | An advertisement featuring Dempsey is displayed on the facade of the Niketown store in New York. (May 11, 2010)